Join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) on Friday, Feb. 22, for a 4-mile, moderate hike at Ashmore Heritage Preserve, a South Carolina Department of Natural Resources managed Preserve, for the first hike of PAC’s Spring Hiking Series.

PAC Land Protection Specialist, Pam Torlina, will lead the hike, an out and back with a loop. The hike starts on the newly opened Mountain Bridge Passage Trail (MBPT), meandering through a mature forest. After entering the preserve, the MBPT will lead hikers along a cascading stream and to a beautiful waterfall. Hikers will back track and pick up a loop trail that leads around Lake Wattacoo, a man-made lake at the base of Campbell Mountain/the Blue Wall escarpment. Then hikers will follow a stream back to the MBPT to the start. The preserve features a natural bog, which creates favorable habitat for rare plants and other species unique to the region.

If you are interested in attending the PAC hike at Ashmore Heritage Preserve, please contact the PAC office to sign up by phone at 828-859-5060 or email, landprotection@pacolet.org.

Hikers will be meeting at the Gowensville Spinx at 8:30 a.m. to check in and start the approximately 45-minute drive to the trail head.  Hikers should wear appropriate clothing and footwear; bring a bag lunch and/or snack and plenty of water.  Please be sure to bring any personal medication that you may require.  Hikers should be prepared to return to the area by 3 p.m., at the latest. In case of inclement weather, please contact the PAC office by 8:15 a.m. on the day of the hike to see if the hike will take place.